Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Post Office, Transport

"The rates that were offered were extremely high," said Licis. Terauda, however, stressed that it was "the lowest possible" offer. She explained that the offer was individual for each publisher, and based on a formula that included a given newspaper's circulation, weight, distance of delivery and other factors, writes LETA.

Licis said that by January 1, regional newspapers that are issued on Saturdays will change their schedules, and will most likely be published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Licis explained that delivery costs for regional newspapers would increase dramatically, as approximately 60% of their circulation has to be delivered to residents in rural areas, where it is impossible to use the services of other newspaper deliverers. In the cities, only a few newspapers, like "Kurzemes Vards", do not use postal services, as they have implemented their own delivery system for their subscribers.

As reported, Latvijas Pasts informed in July that next year it will provide mail deliveries on Saturdays at extra charge.

The board of Latvijas Pasts initially decided to discontinue mail deliveries on Saturdays already from January 3, 2011, which would have saved the company LVL 500,000 to LVL 800,000 each year. A month later, Latvijas Pasts changed its decision and said that mail deliveries on Saturdays would continue also in 2011.